Analysis of traffic‐induced airborne particulate matter with energy dispersive x‐ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF)

Abstract

Immission‐ and emission‐measurements of heavy metals from aerosols with energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry has two advantages: it is a multielement analysis (for Z 12=Mg up to U) and the method works without the destruction of the samples. This work describes comparative measurements of the exposure of car passengers, public transport users and cyclists to heavy metals on their way to work (Bremen, FRG). It is shown that for most elements the relative quote of inhalable particles is higher inside cars than in the ambient air of the other transport modes. A comparison of concentrations in cars with and without air condition shows that the use of air conditioning leads to still higher concentrations of fine particles, especially of lead and copper due to the separation of coarse particles in the ventilation system of cars.